Legendary movie star Peter Faber, a cornerstone of the golden age of Dutch cinema, passed away on August 6, his family confirmed in an emotional statement on Facebook
Dutch actor Peter Faber has passed away at the age of 82, his family announced on social media.
The legendary movie star, who was a cornerstone of the golden age of Dutch cinema, achieved widespread acclaim both in the Netherlands and internationally across a career spanning over five decades. Among the movies he starred in were Paul Verhoeven’s internationally acclaimed World War II epic Soldier of Orange and Max Havelaar, a classic adaptation about Dutch colonial rule.
Yesterday, Peter’s family revealed on Facebook that the actor passed away on Thursday, August 6. In a touching tribute on social media, they wrote: “Yesterday we said goodbye to our father. The past weeks have been intense and sad, but also special: we were able to spend so much time with him. Until the very last moment, he remained himself.
“Peter said ‘yes’ to life wholeheartedly. He was undeniably optimistic, curious, wanted to understand, and kept marvelling at everything. Even as his body failed him, he kept paying attention to the people around him. For the nurses, the doctors, his companions, and for us. The OLVG felt like a warm place for him, and he was genuinely grateful for the loving care he received.”
They added: “Even in his final days, he remained the actor he always was: he carried poems, sang songs for his companions, and knew how to put a smile on faces. Humor he never lost.
“Even until the end, he kept exploring himself. He never went away from his own shortcomings and always looked at people with heart and soul. He was convinced that creativity could bring people back to life, and he dedicated himself to that with all his heart and soul.”
Peter’s family concluded: “We are deeply moved by the thousands of cards, messages, flowers, and reactions we have received over the past weeks. We have shared them with him as much as possible. He was visibly moved and felt greatly supported. We are incredibly grateful for that.
“We are losing a father, grandfather, friend, and the most colourful artist we could have wished for. Rest in peace, dear dad.”
Peter began his career as a co-founder of Het Werkteater in the early 1970s, an avant-garde Amsterdam collective that revolutionised Dutch theatre by focusing on ordinary people and raw emotions. His talent on stage earned him the prestigious Louis d’Or – the highest Dutch theatre accolade for a male actor – twice during his career.
His career break was when he played the lead role in the 1976 movie Max Havelaar. A few years later, he landed a role in the 1977 epic war drama A Bridge Too Far, also starring James Bond legend Sean Connery.
The actor also starred in Ciske de Rat, one of the most famous films in Dutch history, in 1984. His final feature film, Sweet Dreams (2023), was selected as the Dutch entry for the 2024 Academy Awards.
Born in Germany in 1943, Peter grew up in Amsterdam-Noord and overcame a highly turbulent youth that included spending time homeless as a teenager. His own experience inspired him to establish the Peter Faber Foundation in 2008. The foundation works to empower at-risk youth, helping them channel destructive tendencies into positive energy.
Peter is survived by his long-term partner, Ineke ten Cate, and his five children, Jasper, Jesse, Daan, Danja, and Sam. A public memorial celebrating the actor’s life will be held at Het Zonnehuis in Amsterdam-Noord on Monday, August 10, 2026, between 10am and midday.
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